11/8 Recap: Hurley hot as Americans advance

Written By Kris Baker on Saturday, November 9, 2013 | 11/09/2013

Connor Hurley notched two goals and two assists Friday as the U.S. Junior Selects advanced to the championship game of the 2013 World Junior A Challenge with a 7-4 win over Switzerland. Hurley, who again shined at the left point on the USA power play, just missed the hat trick when he rung one off the crossbar with under 6:00 to play in the third period. Cal Petersen allowed four goals on 19 shots to get the win. The Americans will face Russia on Sunday for the gold medal.

In the OHL, Nick Baptiste notched a goal and an assist as Sudbury erased a three-goal deficit to earn a 4-3 shootout triumph over Peterborough. Following a 2+1 effort on Thursday, Baptiste has recorded 15 goals and 27 points after 19 games this season for the Wolves. Draft eligible Nick Ritchie connected for his ninth goal of the year for the Petes. Sudbury goes for their third-straight victory Saturday against Owen Sound.

Eric Locke snapped a six-game goal drought with his sixth of the year and added an assist as Saginaw dominated Ottawa en route to a 7-3 win. The Spirit captain now has 17 points and a sparkling plus-11 rating in 12 games since returning from his first NHL/AHL training camp. Justin Kea finished with an even rating for the Spirit, who next travel to Belleville on Saturday.

Justin Bailey scored his fifth goal of the year plus an assist as Kitchener clawed their way back from a three-goal hole but couldn't connect in an eight-round shootout to lose a 6-5 decision at Kingston. Draft eligible defender Roland McKeown posted two assists and the shootout winner for the Frontenacs. The Rangers will look to end their eight-game winless skid Sunday afternoon in Ottawa.

Brady Austin earned a plus-one rating as London lost in a shootout to Barrie 5-4. The Knights next visit Barrie for a Sunday matinee.

In WHL action, Logan Nelson (-1) was unable to record a point as Victoria skated to a 5-3 victory over Seattle. The Royals head to Portland on Saturday.

In the USHL, Judd Peterson was kept off the score sheet as Cedar Rapids downed Des Moines 3-1. The two clubs complete the home-and-home series Saturday in Des Moines.

In the NCAA ranks, Sean Malone finished with a minus-two rating as Harvard was defeated by St. Lawrence 3-1. The Crimson host #16 Clarkson on Saturday.

Christian Isackson centered the fourth forward unit as #1 Minnesota suffered their first loss of the year 4-1 to #4 Notre Dame. The Gophers will go for the road split with the Irish on Saturday.

Anthony Florentino was on the ice for the game's only goal as #6 Providence pitched a 1-0 shutout of Merrimack. Mark Adams did not play for the Friars, who'll finish the weekend set versus Merrimack on Saturday.

In AHL action, Phil Varone and Matt MacKenzie supplied goals but Rochester dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to Binghamton. MacKenzie's tally was his first-ever AHL goal, and just the second of his professional career. Matt Hackett was strong in the nets with 34 stops despite the OT defeat. The two clubs will play it back Saturday in Binghamton.

In the ECHL, Andrey Makarov allowed six goals on 32 shots as Fort Wayne got hammered by Wheeling 6-2. Shawn Szydlowski did not play for the Komets. Fort Wayne visits Cincinnati on Saturday.

Jonathan Parker scored his first goal of the year as Colorado lost in overtime to Stockton 3-2. Parker was sent to the coast league from Rochester on Thursday. The Eagles are off until next Saturday at Utah.

Connor Knapp made 34 saves as Greenville lost to Gwinnett 3-1. The two clubs will go at it again Saturday in Gwinnett.